Apparently hospitals are only required to keep medical records in the US for 7yrs with the except of kids which is until they are 21 yrs. Dr's keep their records for 6yrs I'm told.
My daughter had a fractured pelvis from a car accident in the 80's. The hospital no longer has the x-rays or the records which could be very helpful now that she is deciding whether to do a C-section or a regular birth.
Always get your records if there is any possibility of needing them in the future. I'm still trying to get my records from the b/p expert from 3 yrs ago.
I was able to easily get my medical records from the Thyroid Expert that I saw in the 70's but he was at a University so that may have made the difference.
By the time I get my "Being a patient degree," I won't need it!!!

Fam